We've discussed the antics of the "Alt-Right" in other threads, but I couldn't find them as we have a tendency to get off topic so quickly. So apologies for starting a new thread on something we have already discussed. I do appreciate Peters article in the New York Times, as I have delved into the mindsets of the die-hard Trump supporters who with the help of Fox News and conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones, have constructed an alternative narrative.

As Peters writes of the Trump supporter beliefs, "Enemies [of Trump] from within have launched a “deep-state” smear campaign, news organizations are acting with ulterior motives, and the worst attacks are yet to come. Pushing back against the biggest threat so far to Donald Trump’s young presidency, his most fervent supporters are building alternative narratives to run alongside the “establishment” media account — from relatively benign diversions to more bizarre conspiracies."

Trump himself has again and again pushed the narrative that he is the "victim of sabotage by an adversarial intelligence community full of Trojan horse holdovers from the Obama administration." Allegations against Trump are called Fake News and invariably the topic is shifted to Hillary Clinton or Obama. Peters explains:

"Trump supporters “see the news media and the establishment as one of those airlines dragging them down the aisle, bloodying them,” said Alex Castellanos, a Republican strategist, who said that Mr. Trump’s foes often fail to understand how their criticism can backfire. “And when they assault him, it validates the idea that he’s the only thing there to protect us from them.”

The upshot is that it has been effective in holding Trump's base. Gallop polls show that among Republicans, Trump's approval remains strong at 84 percent, despite all the revelations against Trump, many of them self-inflicted. This is why I read books and articles by psychologists and cognitive scientists.

The scary thing is that it is not new. Fascism is not new. Trump is in power and "we the people" elected him.

We've discussed the antics of the "Alt-Right" in other threads, but I couldn't find them as we have a tendency to get off topic so quickly. So apologies for starting a new thread on something we have already discussed. I do appreciate Peters article in the New York Times, as I have delved into the mindsets of the die-hard Trump supporters who with the help of Fox News and conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones, have constructed an alternative narrative.

As Peters writes of the Trump supporter beliefs, "Enemies [of Trump] from within have launched a “deep-state” smear campaign, news organizations are acting with ulterior motives, and the worst attacks are yet to come. Pushing back against the biggest threat so far to Donald Trump’s young presidency, his most fervent supporters are building alternative narratives to run alongside the “establishment” media account — from relatively benign diversions to more bizarre conspiracies."

Trump himself has again and again pushed the narrative that he is the "victim of sabotage by an adversarial intelligence community full of Trojan horse holdovers from the Obama administration." Allegations against Trump are called Fake News and invariably the topic is shifted to Hillary Clinton or Obama. Peters explains:

"Trump supporters “see the news media and the establishment as one of those airlines dragging them down the aisle, bloodying them,” said Alex Castellanos, a Republican strategist, who said that Mr. Trump’s foes often fail to understand how their criticism can backfire. “And when they assault him, it validates the idea that he’s the only thing there to protect us from them.”

The upshot is that it has been effective in holding Trump's base. Gallop polls show that among Republicans, Trump's approval remains strong at 84 percent, despite all the revelations against Trump, many of them self-inflicted. This is why I read books and articles by psychologists and cognitive scientists.

The scary thing is that it is not new. Fascism is not new. Trump is in power and "we the people" elected him.

I think the GOP filth stick with him as glue; they have no alternative; it is "party" not country what drives them. Just like "religion" they are so indoctrinated, that they never will admit Jesus never did walk on water. Trump is the new "Jesus"

Trump's approval amongst Republicans is at 84 percent down slightly from 87 percent in late April. However, polling all Americans, he is at 38 percent. Only 8 percent of Democrats approve of his performance...that should be lower if they are true Democrats.

Looking at the Gallop numbers his approval amongst Republicans has varied from a high of 89 percent on the week he was inaugurated to a low of 81 percent the last week of March. He is at 84 percent now. The numbers certainly support the premise that the tribal loyalties amongst all demographics of Republicans remain strong. It gives credence to his statement that he can shoot someone on 5th Avenue and his base will still support him.

While we can mock Trump's ignorance and inexperience laughing at his many stupid and outrageous comments and Tweets, he knows how to keep his party behind him. That's why he is always in campaign mode, and why the media remains infatuated with him.

However, the topic is Robert Mueller's investigation, and I think we can count on Mueller being the new target of conspiracy theorists as his investigation proceeds. Only complete 100 percent vindication of Trump is an acceptable outcome for his supporters.

Trump's approval amongst Republicans is at 84 percent down slightly from 87 percent in late April. However, polling all Americans, he is at 38 percent. Only 8 percent of Democrats approve of his performance...that should be lower if they are true Democrats.

I might stand corrected, it's around 79% now, but, I have a suspicion that repugs are on the fence about supporting Trump, if Trump is in fact found to have colluded with Russia or their operatives, I believe his approval rating would wane to near zero. But that might not happen since most republicans are lawbreakers and felons anyway, birds of a feather stick together.

It remains to be seen how much leeway and support Robert Mueller will be given. Rosenstein can still block parts of his investigation and Trump can fire him. However, I doubt that anyone can intimidate Mueller at this stage of his life (he is 72 years old). He is a powerful and respected figure in the legal and political world and has nothing to prove. This may well be his final act on the stage, the one that he will be remembered for generations of historians that write the many chapters on Trump. Therefore he will be meticulous in respect for the law...no loose ends. Everything will be wrapped up tidily.

Personally, I'm not satisfied with Mueller. I would have preferred someone or some entity outside of the US Government, with no government or political ties investigate this administration, from the president to his appointees.

Someone with no government or political ties? Do you have some suggestions? Is not Mueller's vast experience and knowledge of how to navigate through the Washington bureaucracy not an asset? Putting someone with no government or political ties (experience?) would mean that person would be on an immense learning curve...not unlike Trump.

Okay, I got us off topic. We should discuss this under Robert Mueller. My fault. I'm writing in multiple threads at the same time.

Listening to MSNBC this morning as they went into "Trump Land" and interviewed Trump supporters, the support for Trump remains strong. His supporters are picking up his Tweeting points blaming the media (a witch hunt). "Trump needs to be given space to accomplish his agenda and Democrats are sabotaging his efforts".

That seems to be the sentiments of the Trump supporters in that particular restaurant anyway. It has become very personal with them, and they are hating the Democrats even more for what they are doing to their man.

There are so many right wing media sites from Foxnews to Rush,Beck,etc.they are non stop . They never sleep. Sean Hannity is on the air it seems 24\7 with non stop propaganda. Spinning and creating cover . It's addicting to a certain kind of person. Some of us are helpless to it. They get addicted. A large segment of our citizenry is a victim of these machinations. They are helpless to defend themselves from it. And it's on every channel non stop. You cannot turn on a radio anywhere in the country and not be assaulted by this non stop psychological warfare being conducted against America. We have been weakened to the point now that hate speech is normal. There is no civil respect for one another. We used to have a common bond. We used to all be Americans. Now we have been divided and conquered. Our government is a minority party ruling. A rogue element has infected our government and it no longer works or even considers the people , we . They are ass deep in the most evil plot to destroy our republic ever seen since the Nazis took over Germany and the communists took over Russia. Will there be the same kind of violence in America due to the constant attack on America by the fascist right wing radicals in our media ? Will these horrible greedy evil men have so much blood on their hands before we as a nation awake to the violent threats we live under these days. Will we ever correctly identify our enemies? Or will their constant cry of terrorism never permitting us to see through their smokescreen ?

They have made us into a fascist nation ruled by the corporations who employ the American legal exchange counsel to write our laws stripping us of our rights . It is done now. All that remains is the purge.

Listening to MSNBC this morning as they went into "Trump Land" and interviewed Trump supporters, the support for Trump remains strong. His supporters are picking up his Tweeting points blaming the media (a witch hunt). "Trump needs to be given space to accomplish his agenda and Democrats are sabotaging his efforts".

That seems to be the sentiments of the Trump supporters in that particular restaurant anyway. It has become very personal with them, and they are hating the Democrats even more for what they are doing to their man.

Don't worry Schmidt; once they loose their healthcare and jobs ( Ford is also reducing their work force by 10%) and their Heineken beer is more expensive because of import tariffs, then I wonder. But yeah they stick with their church doctrine, so the same with the Trump doctrine. Once an dumb ass; always an dumb ass.

Someone with no government or political ties? Do you have some suggestions? Is not Mueller's vast experience and knowledge of how to navigate through the Washington bureaucracy not an asset? Putting someone with no government or political ties (experience?) would mean that person would be on an immense learning curve...not unlike Trump.

Okay, I got us off topic. We should discuss this under Robert Mueller. My fault. I'm writing in multiple threads at the same time.

Mueller is a former G man.

Pinkerton for one.

"Long before there was a Federal Bureau of Investigation, there was the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Founded in the early 1850s by Scottish immigrant Allan Pinkerton, the “Pinkertons” were the nation’s first and most prominent private police force. They’re best known for hunting down Old West outlaws and train robbers, but they also worked as presidential security, intelligence operatives and—most controversially—as management muscle during labor strikes. Check out 10 little-known facts about the detective agency that helped usher in the modern era of law enforcement."